Domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household dishwashers often produce unwanted sound due to stochastic events and structural vibrations, which are difficult to mitigate through traditional sound reduction methods, especially in quiet appliances where every point of the washing container needs effective acoustic insulation.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance featuring a receiving region with an insulating element composed of a foamed matrix material and embedded particles, which increases the loss factor for enhanced acoustic damping and thermal insulation, effectively converting structure-borne sound into heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional acoustic insulation materials are applied to the washing container, then structure-borne sound is dampened, but the mass distribution remains uniform and the loss factor is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a foamed matrix material with embedded particles having different acoustic impedance. This creates a heterogeneous structure where the matrix material provides base insulation while the dispersed particles enhance sound scattering and absorption, increasing the overall loss factor and improving acoustic insulation effectiveness beyond what traditional uniform materials can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform mass distribution through embedded particles within the foamed matrix. Different regions of the insulating element have varying local densities and acoustic properties, which enhances sound scattering and increases the loss factor across different frequencies, thereby improving overall acoustic performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the insulating element uses uniform material distribution, then manufacturing is simple, but the loss factor and acoustic damping performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and acoustic parameters of the insulating element through particle embedding. The particles change the density, acoustic impedance, and loss factor parameters of the material, enabling enhanced acoustic damping performance while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through direct incorporation of particles into the foamed matrix during production.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If acoustic insulation is enhanced throughout the washing container, then sound emission is reduced, but thermal insulation properties may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where the foamed matrix material provides thermal insulation through its cellular structure, while embedded particles enhance acoustic damping. The foamed structure maintains low thermal conductivity for heat insulation, while the particles increase acoustic loss factor, thus achieving both thermal and acoustic insulation functions simultaneously without compromising either property.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves effective anti-drumming and acoustic damping of vibrations, while maintaining thermal insulation properties, ensuring a quieter operation and improved sound reduction across a range of frequencies and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the insulating element is set up to acoustically insulate the receiving region... the insulating element is suitable, in particular, for converting structure-borne sound into heat... the vibration amplitude of the surface, which is produced by the excitation in the interior of the washing container, is reduced by these acoustically effective materials. The energy of the structure-borne sound in this case is converted into heat in the acoustically effective material.
Implementation Method 2
the first insulating element which is designed to insulate a receiving region thermally... the insulating element also has thermal insulating properties or thermal insulation properties... the foamed matrix material preferably comprises a plurality of cells, pores or cavities which are configured in the foamed matrix material. The pores are preferably filled with air.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance includes a receiving region, and an insulating element attached to the receiving region and is set up to acoustically insulate the receiving region. The insulating element includes a foamed matrix material and particles embedded in the matrix material.